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Bye, bye baby

Today the St. Vincent de Paul society became the recipient of numerous baby paraphernalia. We said good bye to the swing, stroller, infant and toddler car seats, bouncer, high chair, crib music thing, and numerous other items that Brian put into boxes and bags. The fact that I have been referring to Jordan as an only child over the last couple of months prompted this, but had we not put our house back up for sale (after being off the market for about six months), I probably would have held on to these things for at least another year.

The reality is even though money and that I am just not into babies (that is, I don't really want to have a baby) are big factors in our decision to have just one kid, as significant is that I am selfish. If you have been my friend for years, you know how self-centered and absorbed I can be, how I think my problems and what goes on in my life are so significant. And with one child, you can still be a little selfish. Don't get me wrong, Jordan is first in my life probably 99 percent of the time (work notwithstanding), but there are times I put myself first, and most of the time I feel okay about that.

Anyway, I hope that someone who does not have a lot can benefit from all the items that served us and Jordan well. Sure the cynical side of me thinks if you cannot afford to have a kid, you should not have one (think of the Hillary Clinton story about the expectant mother who could not afford health care and died because a hospital would not treat her, except Hil did not have the story quite right). But I also realize life is unpredictable, and it does not always turn out the way you planned. So perhaps some family who found itself down a job or with extra, unplanned expenses will happen into the St. Vincent de Paul store, buy a handful of those baby things, and thank God for their good fortune.

All that said, somewhere in the back of my mind, even though I don't really want another baby, I still think we could one day adopt a toddler or preschooler, someone who needs to be loved. You just never know. But for now, I will thank God for the one child I have, as I try to do every day and more. She means everything to me, and we are truly blessed for having her.

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I doubt that anyone ever goes back and reads my old posts, but I had to include this comment on the heels of my doctor's appointment.

Last week, I went to the same ob-gyn practice I have gone to for about 10 years, but I saw a new doctor. She asked if I was planning to have kids. I thought perhaps I missed her saying "any more kids." So I said probably not, that we gave away all of our baby stuff, but would decide by next year.

At the end of the appointment, this doctor said, "You don't have any kids, right?" I said I did and she said on my chart is said I was childless.

Believe me, I do NOT like my practice, and I don't think they have done a good job, but they did treat me my entire pregancy, and I have an almost 5-year old as proof that I have a kid. Isn't there a record of all this on my chart, for the love of Pete?!

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About Me

I am married with a middle-school-aged daughter. Professionally, I have been a teacher, an editor, a content specialist, and a project manager. Personally, I try to do the right thing.
I love the Pens, the Steelers, and Penn State, and I am a Pirates fan. I also cheer for Pitt.
I love the Burgh and hope to stay here until the bitter end (which hopefully won't be bitter at all).